What is RH Bill?

Admit it or not, in the strongest term there is a “clash” between the Philippine government and the Catholic church. The president is firm on his stand to support the RH Bill while the CBCP is strongly against it, warning the first of civil disobedience once the proposed law succeeds.

In the morning of Friday, October 1, 2010, the CBCP reportedly had a word of warning — any Catholic who violates the rules or norms of the church, in this case its anti-contraceptives / anti-abortion policy, may be meted with an "excommunication" proclamation. It means he will be deprived or suspended from being a member of the church. In other words, he will be put `out of communion´.

Asked by a TV host if CBCP will declare the president an “excommunicado,” its representative bishop said on national television that it is possible if and when the president insists on pushing for the approval of the RH Bill.

Now that's an`ultimatum´.

Let me ask you, as we are entitled to express our own views and opinions most specially on matters of national interest, if you were the president, will you retract your support to the RH Bill because of CBCP's admonition?

1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition;2. Promotion of breastfeeding;3. Family planning information end services;4. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications;5. Adolescent and youth health;6. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs);7. Elimination of violence against women;8. Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health;9. Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions;10. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health;,11. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; and12. Reproductive health education for the youth.

SEC. 22. Penalties. -- The proper city or municipal court shall exercise jurisdiction over violations of this Act and the accused who is found guilty shall be sentenced to an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

2. Spouses may undergo ligation or vasectomy even if the other spouse will not agree to it or objects to it.

SEC. 21. Prohibited Acts. -- The following acts are prohibited:a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:2. Refuse to perform voluntary ligation and vasectomy and other legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of spousal consent or authorization.

3. Minor women who gets pregnant due to rape and who abort their babies should be given post abortion care even without parental consent or knowledge of parents. While abortion remains a crime under the law, RH Bill is not clear if abortion is still punishable in as much as the RH Bill requires that the government shall ensure that women seeking care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

SEC. 21. Prohibited Acts. -- The following acts are prohibited:

a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:.....3. Refuse to provide reproductive health care services to an abused minor, whose abused condition is certified by the proper official or personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or to duly DSWD-certified abused pregnant minor on whose case no parental consent is necessary.

4. Expressing an opinion against RH law if passed will subject the person to jail or fine or both